How to Avoid Paying a HUGE Fine for Your Leaves in Boise This Fall

One of the most beautiful parts of living in the City of Trees? There's no shortage of beautiful fall colors to soak in or capture photos of. 

Walking beneath an incredible canopy of red, gold and orange leaves is the primary reason that we've been prioritizing strolling down the Greenbelt to walk to lunch instead of getting in the car and hitting a drive-through. It's a peaceful (and functional) way to break up the workday.

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At least, we find the leaves peaceful. If you're a homeowner who's got a fairly significant amount of trees in or around your property, you may disagree with us. According to Smoky Mountain's "Fall Foliage Prediction Map" Ada County should reach its full color the week of October 9. Canyon County hits its full color a week later. Once those leaves are past their peak, the clean-up begins!

What are you going to do with all of those leaves? Stuff them in those cute trash bags that look like Jack-O-Lanterns and use them as Halloween decorations for your yard? Let them decompose beneath the first blanket of snow this winter? Sweep them into the street in front of your home?

That last one might sound appealing, but you should absolutely NOT do that! Leaves are technically considered "debris" and under Idaho code, it's illegal to deposit debris along any highway, street, alley or easement used by the public for public travel. If you willfully do so and it impedes traffic or creates hazardous driving conditions, you could be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $2,500, up to six months in prison or both.

So, what's the best way to get rid of leaves in Boise? If you're part of the city's "Curb It" compost program, you can fill up your compost cart with them, wheel it out to the curb and place any additional paper leaf bags next to it so that they're picked up on your regular pick-up day. The city just asks that you don't set out more than 10 bags a week so they can manage the pick-up efficiently.

There are also FREE drop-off sites where you can drop off your full PAPER leaf bags! According to the City's website, they'll eventually be composted. Here's a look at where they are and when you can use them.